A Pet's Passing

             Pets are, by some people, considered family. For many, pets are all the family some have and we love them as dearly as any person. When a pet passes away, it can be anything from a mild irritation to a loss so keenly felt that it can be hard to comprehend living without the pet.

             I, myself, have undergone such a lose. So far in my life, I have yet to feel any death (including the death of my mother when I was seventeen) as keenly as I have when my first pet died. He was a min pin named Thor and even to this day, almost 10 years later, I still have the urge to cry when I think to long on my beloved dog.

            I have had many pets since my Thor passed away. A fish, cats, and one dog, whom I still have. Though I love them all very much, my first pet was always my first love and his passing affected me greatly, as I imagine the death of a pet can effect great many people.

            As with people we love, we often times show our pain at a pet’s death in different ways. Some people respond by never wanting another pet. Others want a pet as soon as possible to either ‘replace’ the loss they now feel or in an attempt to love anew and move on. Some people want to bury their pets in cemeteries, with gravestones, etc…and others do no more than digging a whole and forgetting about it. Some want their deceased pet cremated, others want them to be remembered forever through the use of taxidermy.

            My own first pet was buried under my favorite tree, has his own gravestone and still have flowers placed on his resting place. When my current pets pass away, I will likely do the same for them. When it comes to our pets it can be either easier or more difficult to move on, but move on we must, as all things must change.

 

Weeping Willow

Oh Weeping Willow, why do you weep?

Is it for he who is now in God’s keep?

For that little boy who, in your branches would sway,

And around your large truck, would laugh and play?

Weeping Willow, don’t you cry,

I know somehow you will manage to get by,

Without his happiness, smiles, and fears,

Without his kindness, love, and tears.

Oh Weeping Willow, just remember,

All of those years he sat in splendor.

And under your shelter he would read you a book,

So that through him, your sightless eyes could look.

Weeping willow, think of his song,

And how, with your waving leaves, bid him to sing it all night long.

Rejoice when thinking of how he loved you,

And how you loved and cared for him too.

Oh Weeping Willow, you must go on!

There is always a storm before the dawn.

I know in your roots, lies a great sorrow,

But he wasn’t promised another tomorrow.

Weeping Willow, you must understand,

Sometimes God will cast a great demand.

But you will make it through,

For I have such faith in you.

Oh Weeping Willow, won’t you please stand tall?

For I wouldn’t make it, if you were to fall.

Just keep holding steady, come what may,

For he wouldn’t want you to act this way.

Weeping Willow, wipe your eyes.

And don’t give excuses and tell me lies.

For he is gone now, that will not change,

All that is left is your life to arrange.

Oh Weeping Willow, do not forget,

That I still love you, and beneath you will I always sit.

Come, let us go through this turmoil together,

Maybe then we can overcome this turbulent weather.

Weeping Willow, where is that smile that I so need,

For only then will I feel it right to plant a small seed.

That will represent life’s circle from beginning to end,

Because now, only in our hearts, live this friend.

Oh Weeping Willow, his soul is now as free as the wind!

So in this thought, let your troubled heart mend.

And have no more regrets or blame,

As you remember deceased with no regret or shame.

_Angelea Beatrice Sakai Woodham

2004